Israel seeks mechanism to check irregularities

KATHMANDU, Aug 26: Israel has reiterated its concerns over the continued exploitation of Nepali workers by manpower agencies and has urged the government to put in place a strict mechanism to control malpractices in recruiting process. [break]



During talks with visiting Nepali delegation led by Minister for Labor and Transport Management Mohammad Aftab Alam, Israel´s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Eliyahu Yishai drew attention of Nepali officials on rising incidents of fleecing the workers or sending workers to Israel on flying visa -- visa issued without guarantee of getting job immediately, according to Nepali embassy in the Israeli capital.



Minister Alam is leading a Nepali delegation in the Israeli capital in a bid to reopen the Israeli job market, which has been closed for the last five months, for Nepali workers. Israel had stopped granting fresh visas and canceled visas of those, who were already at final stages of leaving for Israel, citing irregularities in sending process.



According to Nepali manpower agencies, about 400 workers were in the pipeline to fly to Israel. They said that the investment of about Rs 500 million have become uncertain because of the Israeli government´s decision to stop accepting Nepali migrant workers.



"The Israeli Deputy Minister urged the Nepali side to agree in creating a strict monitoring mechanism to control malpractices in the recruiting process," the Nepali Embassy in Israel stated in a press release. Israel also proposed incorporating strict provisions in the mechanism to curb all sorts of irregularities, including exorbitant fees and practice of using flying visa. The Israeli side also suggested the Nepali delegation to take strong action against the agencies, promoting irregularities in the recruiting process.



"They (Israeli officials) further suggested that the missions of both the countries be made more effective and vigilant in identifying agencies involved in irregular practices and help them bring to book. They also proposed such agenices to delist from the roster of agencies authorized to do business between Nepal and Israel," the release added.



Israel is also providing a draft of measures, to curb such irregularities, for the consideration of Nepali side.



Baburam Acharya, secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management, said the ministry would take effective measures after consulting concerned stakeholders to minimize the irregularities seen while sending workers to Israel.



Though the government has allowed agencies to collect Rs 240,000 from workers heading to Israel, the agencies are collecting as much as thrice the prescribed amount in the name of paying exorbitant commission to Israel-based agents. Israel, home to more than 12,000 Nepali workers, is popular among Nepali women, who are mostly employed as caretakers.



The embassy also said the Israeli officials had hinted at the possibility of resumption of visa for Nepali workers upon mutual agreement to the mechanism.



Minister Alam also met with Dr Rachel Adatto, Member of Parliament of Israel and Chairperson of Nepal-Israel Parliamentary Friendship League, in Jerusalem and sought his cooperation for the resumption of working visa for Nepali workers. According to the embassy, Adatto was positive to Nepal´s request.

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